Abstract: A system is described that includes an electronic program guide (EPG) data receiver and a media content catalog enhancer. The EPG receiver is configured to receive EPG data from an EPG data provider. The media content catalog enhancer is configured to determine that an item of media content identified by the EPG data comprises new media content and, in response to determining that the item of media content identified by the EPG data comprises new media content, to cause a web crawler to crawl a source website associated with the new media content to obtain information about the new media content and to store the obtained information about the new media content in a database, the database comprising a catalog of media content that is searchable by an end user to identify and access content for playback via an end user device.

Abstract: A method can be provided which includes receiving a channel line-up for an over-the-top media content system, receiving a preferred channel line-up containing a portion of the channel line-up, displaying individual channels of the channels of the preferred channel line-up in a preferred order on a display associated with the processor, monitoring a location of the processor while displaying the preferred channel line-up, determining whether the location of the processor corresponds to a channel exclusion zone, and removing excluded channels from the channel line-up based on the channel exclusion zone. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system can minimize the use of a central computing resource while detecting and correcting visual anomalies that may result from a compilation of video streams from a variety of sources. The central resource can receive device specification data defining parameters on how remote computers measure image properties and generate video data, e.g., camera sensitivity levels, image generation capabilities, etc. The central resource then uses the device specification data to generate calibration metadata that allows each client device to analyze light levels and generate image data according to a normalized standard. This allows each of the clients to generate more consistent video images to be shared in a video communication session. In some configurations, the calibration metadata causes each client device to make the adjustments automatically, and in some instances, video streams can be corrected according to a ranked list of adjustments.

Abstract: There is provided a technology for enabling a user to recognize gradation of a captured image with high accuracy, when the user checks a substitute image displayed in substitution for the captured image. An electronic apparatus divides a captured image into a plurality of partial areas, generates each of histograms for the respective partial areas, the histograms each representing a number of pixels of each gradation, and outputs the generated histogram to an apparatus that displays a substitute image having a data size smaller than a data size of the captured image.

Abstract: A wireless actuator assembly for use in a building control system includes an actuated component such as a damper or a valve and an actuator that is configured to move the actuated component between a first position and a second position. The assembly includes a short range wireless communication module having a nominal communication range of less than 60 feet and an actuator controller that is operably coupled to the actuator and the short range wireless communication module. The actuator controller may be configured to receive one or more actuator commands from a portable handheld device via the short range wireless communication module and to send information to the portable handheld device via the short range wireless communication module.

Abstract: In this invention we disclose methods of automatically configuring a wireless node when it initially powers on and seeks to integrate into an existing wireless network. The wireless node could be part of an ad hoc, software defined network. One such network could be LTE network. The auto-configuration methods disclosed herein can be executed on wireless nodes throughout their operation. In addition, the methods herein allow a node to intelligently choose which network to join when there is more than one available network. In alternate embodiments, the methods disclosed could be used to create a new configuration based on changed environmental conditions, location or node capability change. These embodiments allow wireless nodes to migrate to better quality connections if they become available.

Abstract: A transmitter including a transmitter board comprising multiple electrical ports, each port configured to: receive any of a plurality of antenna boards, and provide electrical signals to a received antenna board. Each respective antenna board comprises antenna elements configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) power waves using the provided signal. The transmitter board further includes a processor configured to: determine whether antenna boards are connected to respective ports of the multiple electrical ports, and after determining that a respective antenna board has been received at a respective port: (i) instruct the transmitter board to provide, via the respective electrical port, electrical signals to the antenna board, and (ii) control transmission of RF waves by antenna elements of the respective antenna board to cause each of the RF waves to constructively interfere with at least one other RF wave at a receiver device located within a transmission field of the transmitter.

Abstract: An internet-based content platform that includes subscribable channels is provided. The internet-based content platform provides channels to end users. The internet-based content platform allows a channel curator to create a paid channel and may include a plurality of media items including at least one paid media item and at least one free media item, in the paid channel. The internet-based content platform may also allow a channel curator to define a subscription fee and a duration for a subscription to the paid channel.

Abstract: A method for installing an outdoor unit, the outdoor unit for receiving signals from a satellite, the method including determining, with an electronic device, pointing information to be applied to the outdoor unit; receiving signal quality information on the electronic device and from an indoor unit, the indoor unit including a modem or receiver and being connected to the outdoor unit, and pointing the outdoor unit according to the received signal quality information.

Abstract: An internet-based content platform for providing subscription levels to channels are described. The internet-based content platform presents to an end user, a channel that includes a plurality of media items, a list of types of access to the plurality of media items, and a plurality of subscription levels associated with different subscription fees for different types of access. The channel is one of a plurality of channels of an internet-based content platform. The internet-based content platform receives a selection of one of the plurality of subscription levels for the channel. The internet-based content platform records the selected subscription level of the end user for the channel. The internet-based content platform provides a type of access to the plurality of media items of the channel for the end user according to the recorded subscription level of the end user for the channel.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission system includes a transmitter configured to transmit power waves including printed circuit boards where a printed circuit board and antenna boards, where each antenna board comprises one or more antenna elements, at least one antenna board resides on a printed circuit board, and the at least one antenna board is connected with a power feeding line. The transmitter further includes a heat sink attached to the at least one printed circuit board, wherein placement of the heat sink with respect to the at least one antenna board comprising the one or more antenna elements and shape of the heat sink is configured such that the heat sink operates as a reflector to direct wireless power waves transmitted from the at least one antenna board in a pre-determined direction.

Abstract: There is described a method for creating an animation, comprising: inserting at least one icon within a text related to the animation, the at least one icon being associated with an action to be performed by one of an entity and a part of an entity, at a point in time corresponding to a position of the at least one icon in the text, and a given feature of an appearance of the at least one icon being associated with one of the entity and the part of the entity; and executing the text and the at least one icon in order to generate the animation.

Abstract: Various arrangements for monitoring and utilizing solar conjunction events are presented. An occurrence of a solar conjunction event caused by the sun being substantially aligned with the satellite antenna through which a television receiver receives signals from one or more satellites may be monitored. A prediction of a future solar conjunction event based on the monitored occurrence of the solar conjunction event may then be calculated. A second occurrence of the solar conjunction event may be monitored. It may be determined that the second occurrence of the solar conjunction event does not match the calculated prediction of the future solar conjunction event within a threshold range. One or more features of the television receiver may be disabled in response to determining that the second occurrence of the solar conjunction event does not match the calculated prediction of the future solar conjunction event within the threshold range.

Abstract: A method of selecting graphic or video files having corresponding locators used to locate such graphic or video files using a computer. Identifiers are created by searching an area within a web page near a graphic or video file for searchable identification terms and searching an area within a web page near links to a graphic or video for searchable identification terms. The identifiers are stored in a database. User requests for graphic or video file content are received and the database of identifiers is searched to find graphic and video files corresponding criteria of the user. Graphic or video file content is then provided to the user.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method of controlling power thereto are disclosed. The electronic apparatus including: a signal receiver configured to receive an input signal; a power supply configured to supply power to elements of the electronic apparatus; a controller configured to controls power supplied to the power supply; and a driving circuit configured to output an ON signal to the power supply in order to supply power to the elements of the electronic apparatus in response to the signal receiver receiving a preset frequency signal while the controller is turned off. Thus, the electronic apparatus is automatically turned on and off by an input signal of a predetermined frequency without a user's manipulation of an additional power switch, and thus, a user's convenience may be improved.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus which accumulates and stores a status value of a broadcast signal is provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes a signal receiver which receives a broadcast signal, a decoder which decodes the received broadcast signal, a signal detector which detects a signal status of at least one of the received broadcast signal and the decoded broadcast signal, and a storage unit which accumulates and stores a status value of the broadcast signal detected by the signal detector. Accordingly, the past signal status of the broadcast receiving apparatus can be easily recognized.

Abstract: A server machine and a first device (e.g., a television) are configured to access a stream of media (e.g., a broadcast channel) from a media source (e.g., a broadcaster). The server machine generates a representation (e.g., a fingerprint) of the stream of media and stores the representation. The first device plays the stream of media (e.g., for a user) and generates an analog signal based on the stream of media. A second device (e.g., a mobile device of the user) is configured to receive the analog signal and generate a representation of the analog signal. The second device provides the representation of the analog signal to the server machine, which may compare the representation of the stream of media to the representation of the analog signal. Based on the comparison, the server machine may provide an identifier of the media source to the second device.

Abstract: In a method for controlling channel-switching, a current channel is displayed through a display unit. A channel-switching correlation table is looked up to obtain at least one candidate channel, which is predicted to be watched after the current channel. The current channel is switched to the at least one candidate channel when a channel-switching signal is received, such that the display unit displays the at least one candidate channel. The present invention also discloses a device for controlling channel-switching and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing the method for controlling channel-switching.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing access to program channels, e.g., high definition programs and program channels which corresponding to a standard definition program and/or program channels are described. In accordance with the invention, a high definition auto tune function is supported. When enabled, in one exemplary embodiment, if a user selects a standard program definition channel, a check is automatically made to determine if a corresponding high definition program channel is available. The corresponding high definition program channel is a channel which provides the same program as on the selected standard definition channel but in high definition. When the auto tune function is enabled and a corresponding high definition channel is available, the device, e.g., set to box or tuner implementing the auto tune feature of the present invention, automatically tunes to the high definition channel instead of the standard definition channel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a display apparatus includes a display, a receiver, and a tuner. The receiver is configured to receive position information indicative of a position where the display apparatus exists. The tuner is configured to tune a signal used for displaying an image on the display based on the position information.

Abstract: A remote menu control function mapping set including user interface control commands that control operation of a second device is obtained at a first device from the second device. The user interface control commands are encoded using a shared cross-communication library that defines a user interface sharing protocol. A menu that maps the encoded user interface control commands to menu items using the shared cross-communication library is generated. The generated menu is displayed on a display of the first device. A selection of a menu item from the displayed menu is detected. An encoded user interface control command that is mapped to the selected menu item is sent to the second device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a method of searching for a channel in the display apparatus includes a plurality of tuners and a plurality of antenna ports respectively connected to the plurality of tuners. The method includes receiving a channel search command; if the channel search command is input, searching for one of the plurality of antenna ports that is connected to a satellite antenna to receive a broadcasting signal, if one of the plurality of antenna ports is connected to the satellite antenna to receive the broadcasting signal, setting one of the plurality of tuners connected to the one antenna port, to a main tuner, and performing a channel search through the tuner set to the main tuner. Therefore, although an antenna port connected to one of the plurality of tuners initially set to a sub tuner, the display apparatus performs a channel search through the corresponding tuner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a video is provided. The method comprises: generating a frame loss pattern of the video by indicating whether each frame in the video is lost or successfully transmitted; and evaluating the quality of the video as a function of the generated t came loss pattern.

Abstract: A method of displaying images, which includes displaying a first image in a first display portion, receiving a first image-quality condition for setting a first image quality of the first image displayed in the first display portion, generating, via a first display controller of the first display portion, a first image-quality setting image by applying the first image-quality condition to the first image displayed in the first display portion, transmitting the generated first image-quality setting image from the first display controller to a second display controller of a second display portion, and displaying the transmitted first image-quality setting image on the second display portion.

Abstract: A method of acquiring information about content includes the operations of receiving a video signal from an external apparatus connected to an image display apparatus, extracting an object included in an on screen display (OSD) image from an image that is produced using the video signal, and collecting the information about content by using the extracted object.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a computing device, a first selection of first video content. The method also includes sending the first video content to a display device. The method further includes adding a first element corresponding to the first video content to a list. The list includes multiple elements and each element of the list corresponds to respective previously displayed video content. The method includes sending the list to the display device. The elements of the list are ordered based on display times of the corresponding video content.

Abstract: A prediction means for predicting a maximum delayed change time, which is the longest in a change time which allows a next program to be displayed, if a channel is selected to change the current program to the next program; and a display control means, by which, from a reception completion time when the reception of the current program has been completed, a relevant program is displayed on the basis of original program data remaining in a buffer at the relevant reception completion time, and at the same time, the reproduction speed of the display is based on a speed at which the current program is displayed during the period between the reception completion time and a maximum delayed change time.

Abstract: A router module is arranged in a housing of a smart television. The router module is externally connected to a modem for surfing the Internet. The router module is electrically connected to a micro processing unit of the smart television. Therefore, the smart television is connected to the Internet through the router module. A wireless transmission chip of the router module is configured to process Internet signals. An antenna module is configured to wirelessly transmit the Internet signals, so that wireless network is shared to outside.

Abstract: A digital television and a channel editing method are provided wherein various channel information is edited efficiently. In the channel edit method of the digital TV, the channel information stored according to a user's request is displayed on a multi-window. If the user selects a channel based on the multi-window, the channel selected by the user is tuned by a tuner and displayed as a moving picture. The user can edit the corresponding channel referring to the multi-window. In another embodiment, the user can edit the set favorite channel(s) separately. The broadcast status of all channels can be recognized almost instantaneously by viewing the multi-window displaying all the broadcast programs of multiple channels.

Abstract: An Intelligent TV can organize content into silos. a silo is a logical representation of a content source for the Intelligent television. Silo can include content applications (e.g., Live TV, VOD, media center, application center, etc.) and/or input sources. The Intelligent TV can receive a designation for a silo through the reception of signals from a remote control or a user interface. Based on the designation, the Intelligent TV can determine the silo desired by the user. Then, the Intelligent TV can transition to the desired silo and provide content from the silo.

Abstract: Systems and methods for toggling between television channels that appear on a display. A listing of channels is received from a user, with the channels being prioritized in an order of preference. One or more toggle types are also received from the user, with each toggle type further including a toggle trigger. In use, a channel is displayed on the display until a toggle trigger is detected. Once detected, the channel on the display is changed to another channel from the list of channels. This process may continue with the detection of another toggle trigger causing another changing of the displayed channel.

Abstract: A smart antenna configuration estimator for use in a digital TV receiver comprises data input means operable to obtain an estimate of an impulse response of a channel through which the television signal has passed to the receiver, maximum finding means operable to find the maximum value of the channel impulse response, the maximum value corresponding to a main signal path, averaging means operable to calculate a mean of values of the channel impulse response comprising channel impulse response values corresponding to one or more additional signal paths, and ratio calculating means operable to calculate a quality value as the ratio of the maximum value to the mean of values of the channel impulse response.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and a channel information display method thereof are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes displaying an image from a selected channel on at least one region of a screen; sequentially receiving, by a tuner, images from a plurality of channels; storing the received images in a storage unit; and displaying the stored images from the plurality of channels simultaneously on at least multiple regions of the screen in response to a channel information function.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter 10 has a high-side transistor QH as a switching element and a low-side transistor QL as a synchronous rectifier element. A first primary electrode D and secondary primary electrode S of the high-side transistor QH are connected to an input voltage VIN and an external terminal T1, respectively. A detection transistor QD is provided in a row with the high-side transistor QH, and the ON voltage of the high-side transistor QH when ON is output as detection voltage VQD from the detection transistor QD. The output detection voltage VQD is added to a feedback voltage VFB1 by an adder CB, and inputted to a comparator CMP1. The ON period of a one-shot pulse PS1 outputted from the comparator CMP1 is regulated so as to be in direct proportion to the sum of the detection voltage VQD and the feedback voltage VFB1.

Abstract: An entertainment device is used to notify a user of a change in an audio visual entertainment system configuration in which at least one of a plurality devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device and/or to notify a user of a perceived problem in a configuration of a controlling device used to control functional operations of the audio visual entertainment system.

Abstract: A control device controls a television. The control device includes a touch module. The control device displays a menu containing a number of soft keys on a screen. The soft keys are activated to control the television to carry out corresponding functions. All positions on the menu are associated with all positions on the touch module correspondingly. As a result, a user can select desired soft keys to carry out corresponding functions by viewing the menu on the television and touching the touch module, rather than viewing the touch module.

Abstract: In a launcher display state, a launcher image is displayed on a screen. The launcher image includes a display frame. An application image, which has been reduced based on application video data at the time of startup previously stored in a main memory, is displayed in the display frame. In an intermediate display state, an intermediate launcher image is displayed on the screen. The intermediate launcher image includes an intermediate frame. In the intermediate frame, an application image, which has been reduced based on the application video data at the time of startup previously stored in the main memory, is displayed in the intermediate frame. In an application display state, an application image during startup is displayed on the whole screen of a monitor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a channel change event are disclosed. An example method identifying at least one of a first muted audio condition or a first transient audio condition in a second portion of a media signal having first, second, and third portions, the first portion occurring earlier in time than the second portion and the second portion occurring earlier in time than the third portion, and identifying, using a processor, a channel change event in response to: 1) identifying the at least one of the first muted audio condition or the first transient audio condition; 2) failing to identify a second muted audio condition or a second transient audio condition in the first and third portions of the media signal; and 3) determining that a time domain length of the second portion of the media signal is greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold.

Abstract: Digital television channels are preemptively cached based on a modeling of a user to reduce delays while switching channels. A current television channel is selected using a first tuner. A future television channel selection of the user is then predicted based on a modeling of the user. The recorded content of the predicted future television channel is preemptively cached using a second tuner. A buffer of the recorded content of the predicted future television channel is displayed when the user switches from the current television channel to the predicted future television channel. The modeling of the user is updated and stored in storage.

Abstract: An apparatus provides an on-screen program guide that includes information indicating channel signal strength. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory operative to store data related to the program guide, and a processor operative to enable display of the program guide using the stored data. The program guide includes a plurality of program titles. The processor determines a program title pointed to by a pointer and determines a channel associated with the determined program title. Signal strength of the determined channel is displayed along with the program guide.

Abstract: A user interface system is executed by a television for generating a program schedule. The user interface system includes a storage module, a searching module, and a generating module. The storage module stores a number of channel numbers and a number of channel logos corresponding to the channel numbers. The searching module searches for television channels. Each television channel corresponds to one channel number and one channel logo. The generating module combines each channel logo with the respective channel number to generate channel symbols according to a predetermined rule, arranges the channel symbols according to a predetermined pattern to generate a program schedule, and displays the program schedule in response to a user's commands.

Abstract: Digital television channels are preemptively cached based on a modeling of a user to reduce delays while switching channels. A current television channel is selected using a first tuner. A future television channel selection of the user is then predicted based on a modeling of the user. The recorded content of the predicted future television channel is preemptively cached using a second tuner. A buffer of the recorded content of the predicted future television channel is displayed when the user switches from the current television channel to the predicted future television channel. The modeling of the user is updated and stored in storage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing access to program channels, e.g., high definition programs and program channels which corresponding to a standard definition program and/or program channels are described. In accordance with the invention, a high definition auto tune function is supported. When enabled, in one exemplary embodiment, if a user selects a standard program definition channel, a check is automatically made to determine if a corresponding high definition program channel is available. The corresponding high definition program channel is a channel which provides the same program as on the selected standard definition channel but in high definition. When the auto tune function is enabled and a corresponding high definition channel is available, the device, e.g., set to box or tuner implementing the auto tune feature of the present invention, automatically tunes to the high definition channel instead of the standard definition channel.

Abstract: An information processing device includes an operation input unit which inputs a user operation, a U/I screen generation unit which generates a U/I screen where a row of a plurality of category options for selecting a category and a row of a plurality of icons which is an option belonging to what is selected among the plurality of category options are orthogonally disposed, and when a selection of the option in the row of the plurality of category options is changed by the input user operation, an icon rotator which changes the plurality of icons from icons corresponding to those before a change of the category to icons corresponding to those after the change of the category by an animation display which causes the icon to rotate around the rotation axis in the same direction as a direction of the row of icons.

Abstract: A method for assisting users with channel entry utilizes channel tuning history to simplify the channel entry process. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of storing a list of channel numbers previously tuned by the apparatus; receiving a first input selecting a most significant digit of a channel number; and enabling a display of channel numbers in response to the first input, wherein the displayed channel numbers comprise at least one channel number included in the stored list and having the most significant digit and at least one other channel number not included in the stored list and having the most significant digit.

Abstract: A broadcast image output device includes: a reception unit that receives a broadcast; an output unit that outputs a plurality of home screens in each of which a broadcast image relating to the broadcast received by the reception unit or an app image is allocatable to each section of a display area, the broadcast image and the app image being selectable by user operation; and a control unit that selects one of the home screens in accordance with preset setting information to cause the output unit to output the selected home screen as an initial screen that is ready to accept the user operation and appears after the broadcast image output device is turned on.

Abstract: A method of displaying information on a screen, including providing the information, wherein the information is based on user text information, and displaying a predefined message on a screen, if the user text information is empty or invalid, otherwise displaying the user text information on the screen for a display time, wherein the display time depends on an amount and/or complexity of the user text information.

Abstract: A memory space configuration method applied in a video signal processing apparatus is provided. The method includes: arranging a first memory space and a second memory space in a memory, the first and second memory spaces being partially overlapped; determining a type of a signal source; when the signal source is a first video signal source, enabling a first processing circuit and buffering data associated with the first video signal source by using the first memory space; and, when the signal source is a second video signal source, enabling a second processing circuit and buffering data associated with the second video signal source by using the second memory space. The second processing circuit is disabled when the first processing circuit is enabled; the first processing circuit is disabled when the second processing circuit is enabled.

Abstract: A remote control device is operative to enable and facilitate user control of video systems that are operative to provide one or more three-dimensional (3D) viewing effects. According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control device includes a user input terminal having an input element operative to receive user inputs to adjust at least one of a volume setting and a channel setting of a video system, and further operative to receive user inputs to adjust a three-dimensional (3-D) viewing effect of the video system. A transmitter is operative to transmit control signals to the video system in response to the user inputs.

Abstract: A display device includes a display component coupled to a signal generating unit with a single trace. The signal generating unit generates a first signal. A processing unit, connected to the display component and the single trace, receives the first signal through the single trace and generates a first type control signal, a second type control signal, and a third type control signal according to the first signal. The processing unit generates and controls an on-screen display menu displayed by the display component according to status of the display device and the received first signal as one of the first type control signal, the second type control signal, and the third type control signal.